With less than 45 days remaining before the tournament, FIFA is preparing another major move. The world football governing body is considering significant changes that could impact all 48 participating nations.
The 2026 edition will be the largest in history, with the number of teams expanding from 32 to 48. This expansion will make the tournament significantly larger—both in scale and complexity.
Growing Cost Concerns for World Cup Teams
One of the key issues under discussion is a potential increase in World Cup prize money. Several countries, particularly from Europe, have raised concerns about the financial burden of participating in a tournament hosted across North America.
Expenses such as travel, team operations, and taxes are expected to rise significantly, potentially offsetting financial gains—even for teams that advance deep into the competition. Officials estimate that overall costs will be substantially higher than in previous editions.
Tax obligations have also emerged as a major concern. While FIFA benefits from tax exemptions, participating nations may still be subject to federal, state, and local taxes, depending on the host locations.
Global Dialogue with Football Associations
In response to these concerns, FIFA has been engaging in discussions with national football associations worldwide. The organization is now considering increasing prize money for participating teams, alongside expanding development funds distributed to all 211 member associations.
FIFA is also exploring ways to boost financial allocations, including direct contributions to World Cup participants and broader funding for global football development.
Potential Prize Money Breakdown
FIFA is reportedly preparing a prize of USD 50 million for the tournament winners. The runners-up are expected to receive USD 33 million.
Teams eliminated in the group stage would still earn USD 9 million. In addition, each participating nation is set to receive a preparation fund of USD 1.5 million to support pre-tournament needs.
A Tournament of Unprecedented Financial Scale
The 2026 World Cup is projected to become the most financially impactful tournament in the history of global football.
Financially, FIFA remains in a strong position. The organization estimates total revenue of USD 13 billion for the four-year cycle leading up to 2026, with approximately USD 9 billion generated from the World Cup alone.
In its 2025 annual report, FIFA also stated that around USD 11.67 billion will be redistributed to support global football development—an increase of about 20 percent compared to the previous cycle. This figure could rise even further.
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